Pageant dresses from CB's Limited. We have a variety of styles for pageant dresses ranging from straight, flared bottom, and even ball gowns. Pageant dresses can be used for local, state, and national pageants, as well as homecoming or school pageant. Pageant dresses usually cost more because their construction is usually thicker than most prom dresses and other formal dresses. Their fabrics are usually thicker and more heavily lined in order to hide imperfections and smooth out the body while on stage in the bright lights.

Pageant dresses often have much more hand beading and crystals than other dresses. Swarovski crystal is a popular adornment on pageant dresses as opposed to regular bugle beading because of it's generous sparkle on stage. Many pageant dresses have flared bottoms to simulate more curve to the body...or to enhance that "hourglass figure". Strapless dresses have become more popular over the years and have become more prevalent than halter dresses because they tend not to make the hips look as large while competing. Halter pageant dresses are still popular, but you must have smaller hips and thighs to wear one.

When purchasing pageant dresses, it is good to keep in mind that the gown must work with the person, not have the gowns as the centerpiece. Pageant dresses should compliment the person, not distract from the face, which is where the smile is that makes an impression on the ones judging the competition. After all, a pageant is about picking a "person" to represent, not a dress. Also, picking the gown for competition should be based on how the pageant dress makes the competitor feel while wearing it. If you don't feel beautiful in the dress, it will reflect on your face.